After the voting of Crimean parliament on last Tuesday to get independence from Ukraine, a referendum is planned for today in Crimea whether to join Russia or become an independent state. However, except these two options, there is not present the option of remaining a part of Ukraine. Crimean parliament voted 78 out of its 81 member parliament in favor of independence to furnish the way of plebiscite in the peninsula. The decision has been criticized by the president of the United States, Barack Obama and leaders of European Union. America has termed this as ‘violent attack on the sovereignty of Ukraine’ and termed it as an absolutely inacceptable option. In response to this, America has imposed sanctions on Russia and Crimea by freezing their assets in the United States.
It all started when the pro-Russian President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych dismissed a plan of joining of Ukraine to the European Union which resulted in mass street protests in November. The protests got violent in February and on 22nd of the same month, Yanukovych fled to Russia and a new interim government was formed in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine that announced to hold presidential elections in May. But Russia did not accept this, declaring Yanukovych the legal president of the country. On the name of protection of Russian-speaking people living in Crimea, Russia moved its forces to the Crimean capital of Simferopol. After that, the relations between Russia and the West badly deteriorated and sanctions were imposed on Russia.
The situation is critical in the area but according to the experts, there is not present any possibility of war between the two sides over the Crimean conflict. However, it again shows the illegal interferences of international powers in the internal issues of different countries which is against the international laws. When the West interfered in the protests to oust President Yanukovych and bring the government of their own wishes, almost the same was done by Russia by moving its forces into the peninsula. Although the talks are in progress between the foreign ministers of Russia and the United States, series of events seem to continue with the similar pace.
It would be in the best benefits of the region and the world if the people of Crimea are given their democratic right to decide upon their own fate. However, it must be assured that the plebiscite should be absolutely transparent and voice of the people should not be repressed. At the same time, all the powers of the world should prefer the regional peace and stability for their aims and democratic powers should be allowed to come alive.